Abbeys

Abbazia di Santa Maria di Staffarda - Revello
(CN)

How to reach us:

The Abbey rises along strada statale
n.589 (state road) of the lakes of Avigliana. With the
A6 Autostrada, exit at the Marene tool booth , turn
onto statale 662 until Saluzzo (13 km) and proceed to
the Abbey (10 km). By train, get off at
the Saluzzo station and proceed by local buses.

The
construction site was chosen intentionally in an unhealthy and
swampy area and all the surrounding area was subjected to
reclamation on behalf of the monks. The important medieval complex,
founded in the 12th century by Cistercian monks was
dedicated to the Virgin and its construction continued throughout
all of the 13th century. The Abbey, located in the open
countryside, is still today surrounded by a small rustic village.
The religious complex includes the church which holds in its
interior a fifteenth-century Gothic style wooden pulpit and the
bell tower, built in 1250, also in Gothic style. From the cloister,
with double-ringed ogival arches held by twin balusters, is
accessed the chapterhouse intended for community encounters. The
lodge where wayfarers were welcomed and the market loggia, a
massive Gothic construction, complete the complex. The buildings
are characterized by the Roman and Gothic styles. The Abbey,
typically medieval, was defended by the walls that enclosed it and
the entrance was guarded by a tower marked by a cross. There was a
drawbridge, like in ancient castles. This entrance is still today
very visible, incorporated into a rural habitation. The complex
rises on the remains of a Roman age construction underneath which
hides a Celtic site. The rare paintings present in the Abbey carry
templar crosses and denote and insistent use of colours tied to
alchemy (red and white). The entire structure proves to be
knowledgably constructed on the axis of the Sun, which in the
morning illuminates the alter, at noon the bell tower and at sunset
the main entrance.